As a professional teacher on an indefinite motherhood sabbatical, I live by sticky notes. If I am being honest with myself, it’s more of an addiction. A cheery yellow sticky note posted on my fridge makes that to-do list seem actually conquerable. A blaring orange sticky note attached to that left-over cheesecake in said fridge with the caveat “Carrots are MUCH better for you!” is sometimes just the encouragement I need.

Needless to say, I have sticky notes posted everywhere. And just like that old floral arrangement that you’ve been meaning to toss for years has now become an over-looked and comfortable part of your home decor, I hardly noticed my excessive sticky notes until a stranger pointed them out to me. It was time for a change.

I love sitting down on Sunday night to make a weekly meal plan, that of course gets posted on a soothing blue sticky note and adhered to my wall, often crumpled or torn. Thinking back to an idea I saw in a friend’s home, I headed to the thrift store to start my Menu Planner project.

I found some great .50 cent 8×10 frames with some rags-to-riches potential and decided to turn my renovation into a fab gift for the women on my list.

Then I found some sassy acrylic paint at the craft store for less than $1 each.

With a 1″ foam brush, I painted each frame with 3-4 coats of paint.

Using scrapbook paper that I already had, I used the cardboard backing of one frame as a pattern. I then cut out an 8x 10″ scrapbook paper background for each of the painted frames. Next, I created a Word document with a handwriting font that I liked best (Edwardian Script ITC, size 46 with some marginal adjustments) to make my Sunday-Monday menu template. Then I simply printed the menu template onto the 8×10 scrapbook backgrounds. This part was free considering I already had scrapbook paper and ink!

I adorned a few with some cute fabric and burlap flowers I learned how to make here with some fabric scraps I had (free!) and then bought some dry erase markers that write directly onto the glass part of the frame and erase with a paper towel ($3.48 for a 4-pack at Walmart).

Ready for gift giving.

In all, each menu planner cost about $3. The best part is that I don’t even lament the loss of my old sticky note menus! My crafty new planner is just the “pop” of color my kitchen needs and it kinda makes me happy and excited to cook each day.

P.S. Sticky notes still organize my life and I could never abolish them completely!

Is a high school English and Journalism teacher turned full-time mom of four. Currently in Meridian, Idaho she loves the outdoors, being active, reading, writing, and observing the world from a unique perspective.
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January 4th, 2012 at 8:37 amJulie says:I cannot STAND menu planning, but it saves me! I try to do 2 weeks (and shop for 2 weeks) at a time. I made one of these a few months ago after seeing it on Pinterest. My favorite thing about it is that my husband isn't constantly asking me what's for dinner anymore!

January 4th, 2012 at 8:05 pmMindy says:I love this idea! My poor husband is sick of me calling him on his way home from work to pick up take out. I needed some motivation and I think a cute craft project will be just the ticket. I'm all over this!

January 17th, 2012 at 3:57 pmHolly Sears McNeil says:Loved this! I made one right after a friend posted the link to fb, and the best thing about it is that my husband is no longer coming home having eaten a lunch very similar to the dinner I made! Thanks!!

June 13th, 2012 at 8:49 amAmy @ Z is for Zel says:This is exactly what I need! I plan meals every Sunday too and end up using old scrap paper and taping it to my kitchen cabinet. Thanks for this wonderful idea!

August 2nd, 2012 at 9:42 pmCollette C says:I am a middle school English teacher and future wife (our wedding is next November) and I love this idea! I've seen some for objectives and what-not, but LOVE the weekly menu idea! I'm going to get a picture frame and scrapbooking paper tomorrow and do it! Thanks!

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